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Hopfensperger leading the Falcons to new heights

The torch is now in Laura Hopfensperger's hand or maybe on her feet. The Menendez sophomore is the latest St. Johns County girls soccer product who really knows how to find the back of the net.

Following such county greats as Nease's Lydia Sturgis and Jenna Silverberg, as well as Bartram Trail's Katelin Swift and St. Augustine High's Laura Ray, Hopfensperger is having a season that will surely put her among the best offensive players ever to play in the area.

The standout enters the District 5-4A tournament with a whopping 43 goals and 11 assists. She has accounted for nearly half of Menendez's goal total of 90.

"Her finishing has been outstanding this season," Menendez coach Vinny Bellavista said. "Lauren has great pace. She controls the ball well and she makes good runs off the ball."

Hopfensperger's play is a major reason why the Falcons are enjoying their best season ever. Menendez is 17-2-1 and the second seed in the district tourney. Should the Falcons reach Friday's championship game, they'll reach the state playoffs for the first time in school history.

"This year has been so much fun, especially seeing how much enjoyment the seniors have gotten out of it," Hopfensperger said. "We wanted to make a name for Menendez and it's been great helping do that. We've brought a respect to this team that really wasn't there before."

In most seasons, an even record would've been considered successful for the Falcons. Those expectations have been shattered this season.

"It definitely feels different to be on the winning side," said Menendez senior midfielder Sophia Bellavista, who tallied 11 assists before suffering a broken fibula. "We're still focusing on proving people wrong. Lauren has been amazing this year. She's a big asset to the team."

The last few years, Menendez has had to look up to district rivals Nease and St. Augustine. While the Falcons still seem a ways off from reaching Nease's level, Menendez has certainly closed the gap with the Yellow Jackets.

Hopfensperger is the reason.

She was the county's breakout player last season as a freshman a St. Augustine freshman. Hopfensperger scored 34 goals and recorded 11 assists during her rookie season, as SAHS reached the regional finals.

In the offseason, Hopfensperger transferred over to Menendez causing a dramatic swing in the two teams.

"I had a great time at St. Augustine and I had a lot of fun playing with them," Hopfensperger said. "It's been a challenge this season for us to work up to their level and give them a good fight."

Hopfensperger's transfer was just the lift Menendez needed to make the jump out of mediocrity.

"Menendez is much better this year," Nease coach Dave Silverberg said. "They had improved a little bit over the last few years, but Lauren has really given them a huge boost this season. Still, they have good depth and 11 players that can play."

Hopfensperger is having a remarkable year, but several other players are making key contributions. Midfielder Madeleine Edbom leads the team with 12 assists and has scored eight goals.